"Well I love speaking to the young kids because at one point I was one of them, and as I say, the main thing I try to stress to them is education because listen, I got lucky and blessed to play in the NBA, but that's like hitting the lottery," he said.

In what's an annual tradition for Lew Klein award winners, with Klein himself in the audience, Sir Charles fielded questions from students. Barkley talked career paths, social activism, and even joked about working with Shaquille O'Neal.

Dean David Boardman of Klein College of Media and Communication explains Barkley's honesty is one the attributes that makes him great.

"Charles made a statement some years ago that as an athlete, he didn't want to be a role model and the irony is he's turned out to be a great role model because he does tell it like it is," said Boardman.

A lot of the students in this audience were babies during Barkley's playing career but they say they not only know him as a sports legend but also a giant in broadcasting

Zach Simon, a Temple senior said, "You have your carbon copy of broadcasters who kind of go through the motions. Charles is different. He's the guy. He brings the lightheartedness to the broadcast."